Invicta FC founder Shannon Knapp admits it was robust to chew her tongue and never fireplace again at rumors that the all-women’s promotion was going out of enterprise.
Simply weeks earlier than saying a broadcast rights deal teaming up Invicta FC with CBS Sports activities Community, a report surfaced on Twitter that the group was allegedly finished, with no occasions since October 2023. In fact, Knapp says the prolonged break was intentional because the promotion made some needed modifications internally whereas working tirelessly on getting a brand new TV deal finished.
As soon as she was lastly capable of announce the partnership with CBS Sports activities Community, Knapp was very happy to take a victory lap.
“Let me inform you how arduous it was to learn that stuff,” Knapp advised MMA Combating. “To learn it and simply know that I knew one thing completely different. Generally you simply have to remain quiet and let folks put their very own foot of their mouth, so to talk.
“No, do you assume I’m happening with out a battle? True to the phoenix, we all the time rise and discover a manner. It actually was not the case nor would I sit again and let that be the case. If Invicta doesn’t exist, it creates an enormous gap within the trade. Invicta is tremendous vital to this sport, not simply due to the ladies’s facet of it however simply we maintain folks sincere. I really like that’s what Invicta means to the fight house. Yeah, no, not happening that simply.”
As a well-respected trade veteran who’s been round fight sports activities longer than many organizations have even existed, Knapp didn’t actually really feel the necessity to get right into a mud slinging contest publicly.
As a substitute, she simply sat again and waited for the prospect to announce the take care of CBS Sports activities Community together with a busy schedule stuffed with occasions for the remainder of 2024 to cement her win.
“The factor is I’m so approachable, when you’ve got doubts, name me up,” Knapp stated. “I’m not going to lie. I’m not identified to be untruthful within the trade or a liar. So it’s actually straightforward sufficient to choose up the cellphone and ask me as an alternative of assuming.
“However sensationalism and spreading non-truths, that occurs lots on this facet of the game.”
So far as the CBS Sports activities deal, Knapp revealed that talks with the Paramount owned community began a number of months in the past however broadcast rights offers don’t occur in a single day. There was a number of floor to cowl earlier than contracts might be inked together with a plan to launch the subsequent Invicta FC card, which fits down Friday in Kansas Metropolis.
“It’s been a very thrilling time and arduous to maintain it quiet,” Knapp stated. “You sit again and you realize what’s coming and also you’ve been engaged on it however it’s important to announce when it’s time to announce. It’s been a whirlwind since we introduced [the deal].
“I feel again simply earlier than the final occasion, we began doing the courting course of as we’ll name it. An excellent six or seven months now, one thing in that neighborhood. For me, you’ll be able to’t share that data. I’ve a number of athletes which have questions and stuff. I’m actually blessed that they belief me once I inform them I’m engaged on one thing that might be a recreation changer for us and might be nice for you, that they belief in that. It’s robust to maintain that quiet.”
Knapp says finally going with CBS Sports activities Community was a no brainer when she contemplated the longer term for Invicta FC, which has despatched dozens of athletes off to promotions just like the UFC ever since first launching again in 2012.
“They’re a really revered sports activities community, which I really like,” Knapp stated. “Simply being on a sports activities community was essential. I feel exterior of the deal factors and issues like that, that all the time make a distinction, it simply looks like a superb match. They’re good folks. I’ve had a very good expertise coping with them and the representatives I’ve handled up to now. It simply felt proper at this second in time.
“Who is aware of what the longer term brings however actually very invested on this and so they’re invested in it and need to be a part of this household, the CBS Sports activities Community household.”
With the primary occasion below the CBS Sports activities banner on Friday, Invicta FC already has future playing cards set for August, September, November and December.
After engaged on the published rights deal and a 9 month layoff between occasions, Knapp can’t wait to hit the bottom operating with a really busy 2024 forward of her.
“I adore it,” Knapp stated. “That’s the factor that’s so vital is consistency. In case you don’t have consistency, then how do you construct a model? I simply assume it’s vastly vital. To have a partnership that gives that consistency is nice. We’re excited.
“A possibility for Invicta to shine and to attach with a possible fanbase that wasn’t accessible to us and attain new followers. We’re enthusiastic about it.”
